MTA celebrates new era of buses

A New Orleans-style funeral procession complete with jazz and blues musicians will officially place 14 city buses purchased in 1979 out-of-service 9:30 a.m. today at the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) headquarters, 130 Nestor St.

The 25-year-old transit buses are being replaced with 25 new 40-foot, low-floor buses from California-based Gillig Inc, ushering in a new era for the city's public transit service. Upgrading the out-of-date fleet is part of a five-year, long-range capital improvement plan.

MTA has a total of 134 buses in its fleet. The 1979 models represent the oldest. The final two buses in a shipment of 25 new vehicles arrived over the weekend and MTA is scheduled to receive another 26 Gillig buses in the fall.

"We see this as a way to celebrate the departure of several of our antique vehicles, our family of 900s that have served us well for 25 years," MTA Director of Communications Patricia Harris-Morehead said.

"But we are also celebrating the birth of a new era for MTA and public transportation in Nashville by putting into service 25 technology advanced vehicles."

The new buses have wide doors and a generous front aisle width, providing better accessibility for all customers, according to Harris-Morehead. The slide-out and flip-out ramps exceed ADA standards and make it easier for customers with disabilities to board.

A restructured driver's seat allows operators a broader range of movement and better height adjustability, and a refined front-end style reduces windshield reflections and improves visibility.

Harris-Morehead said the 1979 buses will eventually be sold as surplus property on Metro's e-Bid site.

Other MTA improvements include $2.4 million for an Intelligent Transportation Service (ITS) for buses and Accessride programs that is recommended in Mayor Bill Purcell's capital spending plan for fiscal year 2005.